Nakavango Conservation Programme

To be a guardian of 6,000 hectares in Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve is a profound privilege we never take for granted. 🌍

Watching a black rhino move through the thickets undisturbed and protected serves as a powerful reminder of why the Nakavango Conservation Programme exists. It is about the grit of the reserve team, the passion of our volunteers, and the shared belief that endangered species must endure for generations to come.

This Earth Day, our focus remains on the vital work within this Intensive Protection Zone dedicated to the survival of the critically endangered black rhino and the reserve's biodiversity. Every day is a commitment to ensuring this wilderness thrives.

We are grateful to our guests who visit us in Zimbabwe and make this possible. 🦏🌿


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Credit: Jack Spiegel - rhino and giraffe

Crocodiles have existed largely unchanged for over 200 million years, surviving multiple mass extinctions!
200 million years, that's wild!

Middle-aged crocodiles (approx. 20–40 years old) are fascinating because they are at peak strength, territorial dominance, and reproductive activity, yet they show very slow signs of ageing compared to many animals. Their ageing process is unusually gradual.
Middle-aged crocodiles are often dominant males or females, controlling prime territories along rivers and lakes.
They are at their largest and have the strongest bite force, making them apex predators in their ecosystems. They reach sexual maturity at 10–12 years, but in middle age, they produce the most offspring.

Females lay 30–60 eggs per clutch, with highly competitive males around during mating season.

We have a healthy population of crocodiles at Nakavango!

Credit: Ashleigh.C

Now you can't get mixed up anymore!
From a distance, or at a glance, how do you tell a cheetah from a leopard? While they both share stunning spotted coats, the real key is size (and those tear marks). ⁠
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Think of it like this: The cheetah is built for speed. Their lightweight, slender build is aerodynamic, allowing them to reach up to 112 km/h (70 mph) in just seconds! ⁠So they are smaller and lighter with long legs.
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The leopard, on the other hand, is all about power. They are stockier and muscular. Powerful muscles are essential for climbing and hauling their kill up trees, away from scavengers. ⁠
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The spots are also...different.
Rosettes for leopards and circles for cheetah (and look for the black tear marks on the cheetah's face).

Nakavango, a sanctuary where wilderness and community thrive together. Just ten minutes from the rush of one of the world’s seven wonders, at Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve (VFPGR) you are invited to immerse yourself in Africa’s fragile ecosystem, in this volunteer programme.

Embark on a conservation journey that combines preservation, education and community contributions and inspires
guests to make a lasting impact. Close to the exciting town of Victoria Falls - with all the adventures to explore on weekends - yet
deep within a peaceful wildlife setting, Nakavango Conservation Programme (NCP) offers an unforgettable experience for volunteers in Africa. We'd love to share it with you. 🦏🌍

Enquire about availability in May and June, our programmes are from 2-12 weeks. Send us a DM or email [email protected].

The Nakavango Experience

We want to make our volunteer guests feel at home.
The biggest drawcard is our single-occupancy rooms. So you can have fun and make lots of new friends, but also retreat to your own space.

Male and Female bathrooms are separate, shared between 2 or three volunteers.

We also have three double rooms, catering to couples - booking is essential.

Our rate per week includes three meals per day, bedding, free WIFI and weekly laundry service.

Are you ready to book your spot for 2026?

Fast Facts about Nakavango:

Volunteers stay at our Nakavango hub
in the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve.

• 20 comfortable, single-occupancy rooms
(separate men and women) plus
3 double rooms for couples. Each has a bed
(bedding provided), built-in storage, and a desk.

• The hub also features a chill-out room with
a library, a kitchen, an entertainment area
with a patio, barbecue facilities, and a
pool overlooking an oxbow in the Masuwe River.

* Volunteers have access to free WiFi and mobile
connectivity, with SIM cards on sale in town.

• We provide three wholesome meals a day,
but of course, volunteers can also eat out (at their own expense) at weekends.

• Weekly laundry service included.

Cheetah,black rhino,ground hornbill, and wild dog. We must be doing it right when endangered species find refuge here. Ecotourism helps us protect this landscape under conservation. Thank you !

Credit Hope Kowo